Estimated reading time 4 minutes
Table of Contents
Why Use the Guitar to Learn How to Sing in Tune Like an A Cappella Singer?
Do you want to know a good way to train your ear to harmonize in tune? All you need is a guitar. Read more to learn how to sing in tune like an a cappella singer.
- When open D tuning is fine-tuned using harmonics, it makes playing the guitar a lot of fun. However, it also fashions a powerful ear training tool to help vocalists sing in tune.
- The guitar tuning creates a model of what a well-tuned chord should sound like. It helps singers who struggle with intonation to experience good harmony for themselves.
- Singing to the piano teaches vocalists to sing vague harmonies, because piano technicians tune the piano to equal temperament. Equal temperament compromises some of the harmonic intervals in order to limit the piano to just twelve notes. The piano makes a poor harmonic sound model.
- The fine-tuned guitar fills the gap, providing a much-needed harmonic sound model.
Alternately, you can use sing-along soundtracks to learn how to sing in tune:
This article uses technical musical terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the post.
A Cappella Group Video
How to Tune the Guitar
To tune the guitar, please refer to the blog article:
The post also shows how to play the chords in open D. After tuning the guitar to open D, you can use it as an effective sound model for singers.
Exercises for Mastering Singing in Tune Like an A Cappella Vocalist
Mobile users: for best results reading the music, tilt your screen 90o to the right.
The above vocal exercise starts with the notes of the top four strings of the fine-tuned open D guitar tuning.
- The sopranos match their note to the first string, the altos to the second string, the tenors to the third string, and the basses to the fourth string.
- The exercise fits the vocal range of each voice type fairly well. Nevertheless, the basses will probably need to drop out on the last three bars.
- Once the singers have the exercise down, switch to the popular vocal warm-ups. For example, one warm-up has singers changing the vowels (Mee, Meh, Mah, Moh, Moo) while singing the same notes.
- The guitarist can play a selected string to bring out one part if the vocal section in question needs help with their part.
Alternately, singers working by themselves can work on singing different parts of the chord by switching which string they are singing with. Also, it is good ear training for flexible pitch instrumentalists as well.
Tips for Mastering Singing in Tune Like an A Cappella Singer
Take time tuning up the vocal harmonies.
- Notice how the chords are all whole notes and the tempo is a slow 55 beats per minute (bpm). This allows the singers enough time to get the chords in tune. Feel free to hold it for longer if necessary. For best results, sing without vibrato.
- The guitarist shifts the chord up one fret each time the chorus sings the next higher harmony. The guitar can also accompany songs. If the guitarist gets drowned out by the chorus, he can play with light to moderate distortion.
- Solfege (Do, Re, Mi) can be an effective method for working on sight singing and melodic tuning. However, it will not train the singer’s sense of harmonic intonation.
- Harmonic sound models, provided by retuned synths and guitars can teach you how to sing in tune like an a cappella singer.
For those people who are not comfortable retuning instruments:
© 2020 Geoffrey Keith
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Glossary
Measuring a Song’s Success
Why does one person say a song is great and another says it stinks? In the “Art vs Commerce” post, we looked at two versions of the song “32 Flavors” and how the Boston Songwriters Workshop members reacted to it. Then, we looked at how and when the art vs commerce question arose. Finally, we asked, "How do you measure a song’s success?" Read more to learn the answer. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
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Singing Rhythm Syllables in Cut Time
Are you confused about how to chant the Kodaly rhythm syllables in cut time? Do you wonder if it’s like chanting 2/4 or 4/4 syllables? Don’t worry, this post has you covered! Read more to learn about singing rhythm syllables in cut time. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
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The 7 Best Iconic Riffs That Make People Want to Play Guitar
Do you want to play guitar? According to “The Talent Code,” an important aspect of learning an instrument is called “ignition.” What’s ignition? It’s a crystalizing experience where a person hears a song or sees someone playing and says, “I want to do that!” There are many great riffs out there, but I have selected seven of the best, most iconic, riffs spanning five decades. I hope one of them inspires you to play guitar. To learn more, keep reading “The 7 Best Iconic Riffs That Make People Want to Play Guitar.” Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
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How to Play Piano (Kid’s Color Coded Piano Hand Placement)
Does your child want to learn how to play the piano? Do you want to know the best way to teach piano hand placement? Finger placement on the piano keyboard is an important skill that should be taught at the earliest stages of learning. Keep reading “How to Play Piano (Kid’s Color Coded Piano Hand Placement)” to learn how it works. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
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